Monday, September 22, 2025
Today marks the autumnal equinox and the first day of fall in the northern hemisphere. Contrary to popular belief, we do not receive equal amounts of day and night on the equinox. Instead, that occurs on the “equilux,” which will be September 26 in 2025.
Tuesday, September 23, 2025
On this date in 1999, the Mars Climate Orbiter began a planned orbital insertion maneuver around Mars. The orbiter went out of radio contact when the spacecraft passed behind Mars and communication was never reestablished. It is believed the spacecraft encountered the planet at a lower than anticipated altitude and was either destroyed in the atmosphere or re-entered heliocentric space after leaving Mars’ atmosphere.
Wednesday, September 24, 2025
On this date in 1930, American astronaut John Watts Young was born. Young worked for NASA for over 42 years and piloted four different classes of spacecraft. He made the first manned flight of the Gemini spacecraft, walked on the Moon during Apollo 16, and flew the first Space Shuttle mission STS-1.
Thursday, September 25, 2025
On this date in 1974, researchers F. Sherwood Rowland and Mario Molina published their findings that chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) were damaging the ozone layer. At the time, CFCs were commonly used in aerosol sprays and as coolants with many applications. Today, CFCs are outlawed by 198 countries around the world and scientists agree the ozone layer is slowly recovering as a result.
Friday, September 26, 2025
On this date in 2011, aerospace engineer Ronald Toomer died. Toomer began his career in the aerospace industry helping to design the heat shield for the Apollo spacecraft and was involved in several of NASA’s earliest satellite launches. In 1965, he would leave NASA to join the Arrow Development Company in designing the world’s first all-steel roller coaster. He would help to produce over 80 roller coasters before retiring in 1998.
Saturday, September 27, 2025
On this date in 1956, Air Force test pilot Captain Milburn Apt flew the Bell Aircraft Company’s rocket-powered X-2 at Mach 3.2. This event marked the first human flight to exceed the speed of sound by more than a factor of three. Unfortunately, Apt lost control of the X-2 due to inertial coupling when returning to base leading to a fatal crash. Apt was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in 1957.
Sunday, September 28, 2025
On this date in 1969, a meteorite fell over Murchison, Australia. This carbonaceous chondrite, type II (CM2) meteorite is suspected to be of cometary origin due to its high water content. Approximately 100 kg of this meteorite has been recovered.
Subjects
